Originally Posted by Jannie
People always make it sound living in CA is more expensive than any where else. After reading this post, I don't think so. Taxes (sales tax 9.25%)are high, cost of living is hight, but wages for the most part are higher than other areas of the country. Seems like the more you make the more you pay for everything. It all comes out in the wash. We bought our house before 1973 so are under Prop. 13 which means are property taxes are a lot less. However, because of 13 so are everyone elses. The state has a limit on how much they can raise property taxes. I know a lot of people want to discontinue Prop. 13, but if they do, taxes will skyrocket & it will give CA government more money to spend. Seems like the government everywhere doesn't have the concept to leave with in their means like we have to.
Jannie,
You hit the nail right on the head.
Our government (which I am very grateful for, don't get me wrong!) needs to learn the lesson that the rest of Americans have had to learn in the last few years: live within your means.
(For us: cutting out unnecessary expenses. Our only 'unnecessary' expenditure? Cable/Internet. I'm considering it my sanity, therefore necessary. :D)
Why is this so hard for our government- federal and local- to understand?! Cut out the unnecessary expenses- keep a close eye on everything else- and voila. Lower property taxes would be a cause- not an effect.
The sad thing is that instead of 'living within it's means,' our governments are constantly trying to make everyone else make up for their financial shortcomings. If their books are short cash- instead of saying where can we cut our costs? They turn to the tax-payers to make up the deficit.
Now I know I'm painting with a big fat brush there, but there's truth to it.
>sigh...< why can't the US of A just take the lead from a bunch of quilters?!
hehe!